Every Tuesday, we rank the SEC and Big Ten teams in one power poll. The order of the SEC teams is based on the Week 14 SDS SEC Power Poll.

Can Alabama avoid the lethal pratfall that is Missouri? Can Ohio State overcome the loss of a potential Heisman finalist quarterback? Those are the two huge questions facing these conferences heading into championship weekend.

If things go well, both the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes could be included in the four-team College Football Playoff field — perhaps matched up in the semifinals.

Talk about a boring game with no story lines — Nick Saban vs. Urban Meyer? Like that would draw any ratings? Pfft.

Jokes aside, with Missouri finally earning a top two spot in our SEC power rankings, the SEC claims five of the top seven spots in our combined rankings between the Big Ten and the SEC.

PLAYOFF CONTENDERS

It’s simple for Alabama: beat Missouri as about a two-touchdown favorite and the Crimson Tide are in the four-team playoff. Famed political analyst Nate Silver gives Ohio State about a 40 percent chance to make the playoffs, but better than 50-50 if the Buckeyes beat Wisconsin without Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett.

1. Alabama (11-1)
2. Ohio State (11-1)

COULD FINISH TOP 10

These programs were a break or two from the College Football Playoff this season, but with the exception of Mississippi State, have known for a long time that a Top 10 finish was the ceiling for 2014.

3. Missouri (10-2)
4. Mississippi State (10-2)
5. Michigan State (10-2)
6. Ole Miss (9-3)

FLAWS KEPT IT FROM GREATNESS

Auburn’s defense, Wisconsin’s quarterback situation, Georgia’s propensity to underperform — it cost these programs in 2014. It otherwise could’ve been a playoff type season. The Badgers, at least, won their division and will get a chance at a conference championship.

7. Auburn (8-4)
8. Wisconsin (10-2)
9. Georgia (9-3)

WINDOW DRESSING

Nine-win seasons aren’t enough at Nebraska, especially when the losses all come against ranked opponents. Georgia fans, you can relax — Mark Richt’s resume is too similar to Bo Pelini’s in recent years. The Cornhuskers don’t want another decade of 9-3. That aside, all these teams are fringe Top 25 programs. Arkansas may be the best 6-6 team in the country, as silly as that sounds. And the rest of these three can compete with any school in the land.

10. LSU (8-4)
11. Nebraska (9-3)
12. Minnesota (8-4)
13. Arkansas (6-6)

NOT WHAT FANS EXPECTED

The Hawkeyes started the season as a fringe Top 25 team, but lost to lowly Iowa State. This triumvirate of SEC coaches are taking various levels of heat, with the Gators firing Will Muschamp and Kevin Sumlin and Steve Spurrier getting the stink-eye from at least a portion of the fan base.

14. Texas A&M (7-5)
15. Iowa (7-5)
16. Florida (6-5)
17. South Carolina (6-6)

VERY AVERAGE

Vols fans, I know you got your hopes up with Josh Dobbs. But Saturday showed that Tennessee still must make some pretty big strides before the team can be considered the favorite to win the SEC East. And how about Penn State? They’ll be going to a bowl game, but easily could’ve finished 5-7 or worse. James Franklin hasn’t done well with QB Christian Hackenberg.

18. Maryland (7-5)
19. Tennessee (6-6)
20. Rutgers (7-5)
21. Penn State (6-6)

(MOSTLY) HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

The Fighting Illini are eligible for a bowl after knocking off the Wildcats to end the season. The rest of this lot will be watching the bowl games from their couches, including Michigan, which just fired Brady Hoke today.

22. Michigan (5-7)
23. Northwestern (5-7)
24. Kentucky (5-7)
25. Illinois (6-6)
26. Indiana (4-8)
27. Purdue (3-9)

ALONE AT THE BOTTOM

The Commodores didn’t take advantage of some solid chances Saturday against Tennessee in the fourth quarter of a seven-point loss. I would say that’s a positive, but this is a team that won nine games last year, and this year it lost at home to a 6-6 Tennessee team. But hey, Derek Mason now can give this message: WE CAN BUILD ON THIS!

28. Vanderbilt (3-9)